Lid for storing a tool

ABSTRACT

A lid for storing a tool is disclosed that comprises a base portion having a wall portion along a periphery of the base portion and a magnet portion positioned on the base portion with the magnet portion adapted to hold a metal portion of a tool.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/568,007, entitled LID FOR STORING A TOOL that was filed on May 4, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a lid for a container for storing a tool, and more particularly, to a lid for a joint compound container with the lid for storing a tool.

Workmen typically have numerous tools for performing work at a job site. Sometimes tools are stored loosely in a pile forcing a workman to sort through the pile to find a particular tool. Tools may also be stored in toolboxes that may be easily carried from job site to job site. Although such toolboxes are useful, some workmen use a particular tool all of the time and it would be convenient to have such tool readily available for use. In particular, drywallers and painters use mud pans for holding a supply of joint compound, spackling, or mud. A tool, such as a dry wall knife or a putty knife, is used to scoop mud or spackling from the pan to be applied on dry wall or plaster. It would be advantageous to be able to store a dry wall knife in conjunction with the mud pan in order for the drywaller or painter to know where the knife is without having to search through a toolbox or a pile of tools. Other workers who use a particular tool would also like the convenience of being able to store a particular tool in a readily available location or position in order to retrieve the tool as quickly as possible. By way of further example, a roofer uses a roofing hammer and it would be desirable to have the roofing hammer stored in a known position relative to a toolbox or another container that stores other roofing supplies such as nails.

Accordingly, it is desirable and advantageous to provide a lid for storing a tool. The present invention is designed to overcome the shortcomings and disadvantages associated with mud pans, toolboxes, or other containers by providing for easy storage of a tool in a lid for covering a container or box. In particular, the present invention saves time by having a tool positioned securely on a lid for a container for convenient retrieval and use by a workman.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one form of the present invention, a lid for storing a tool comprises a base portion having a wall portion along a periphery of the base portion, a channel formed in the base portion adapted for receiving a handle of a tool, and a magnet portion positioned in the base portion with the magnet portion adapted to hold a metal portion of a tool.

In another form of the present invention, a lid for storing a tool comprises a base portion having a wall portion along a periphery of the base portion, a channel formed in the base portion adapted for receiving a handle of a tool, a recess formed in the base portion, and a magnet portion positioned in the recess with the magnet portion adapted to hold a metal portion of a tool.

In yet another form of the present invention, a lid for storing a tool comprises a base portion having a wall portion along a periphery of the base portion, a first channel formed in the base portion adapted for receiving a handle of a tool, a second channel formed in the base portion adapted for receiving a handle of a tool, a first magnet portion positioned in the base portion with the first magnet portion adapted to hold a metal portion of a tool positioned in the first channel, and a second magnet portion positioned in the base portion with the second magnet portion adapted to hold a metal portion of a tool positioned in the second channel.

In still another form of the present invention, a lid for storing a tool comprises a base portion having a wall portion along a periphery of the base portion and a magnet portion positioned on the base portion with the magnet portion adapted to hold a metal portion of a tool.

In another form of the present invention, a bucket lid for storing a tool comprises a base portion having a wall portion along a periphery of the base portion and a circular magnet portion centrally positioned on the base portion with the magnet portion adapted to hold a metal portion of a tool.

In light of the foregoing, it will be recognized that an object of the present invention is to provide a lid for storing a tool that is of simple construction and design.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a lid for storing a tool that holds a tool in place when not in use and easily releases the tool for use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a lid for storing a tool that can be easily employed with highly reliable results.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a lid for storing a tool that may be of unitary construction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a lid for storing a tool that may be constructed from lightweight and inexpensive materials.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a lid for storing a tool that is capable of storing a conventional tool and does not require a specially constructed tool.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a lid for storing a tool in a secure position for easy storage and transportation of the lid and the tool.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after considering the following detailed specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a lid for storing a tool constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a lid for storing a tool;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the lid for storing a tool of FIG. 3 taken along the plane of line 3-3:

FIG. 4 is a side view of the lid for storing a tool;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a lid for storing a tool placed over a container;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a lid for storing a tool placed over a container with a tool being stored in the lid;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of a lid for storing a tool constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of a lid for storing a tool constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of a lid for storing a tool constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a bucket lid for storing a tool constructed according to the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of a lid for storing a tool constructed according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numbers refer to like items, number 10 identifies a preferred embodiment of a lid for storing a tool constructed according to the present invention. With reference now to FIG. 1, the lid 10 is shown comprising a base portion 12 having a wall portion 14 along a periphery 16 of the base portion 12. The base portion 12 and the wall portion 14 are adapted to mate with or fit over an opening of a container (not shown) as will be discussed further herein. The base portion 12 has a channel 18 formed therein. The channel 18 is sized and shaped to be able to receive a handle portion of a tool (not shown). The channel 18 has a first side 20 and a second side 22. The first side 20 has a recess portion 24 that serves as a finger grip portion. The second side 22 also has a recess portion 26 that serves as a finger grip portion. The recess portions 24 and 26 allow a user of the lid 10 to be able to grasp a tool held in the channel 18 from either side 20 or 22. The lid 10 also comprises a pair of recesses 28 and 30 formed in the base portion 12. The recesses 28 and 30 are each used to house or hold a magnet 32 and 34, respectively. The magnets 32 and 34 are adapted to hold in place any metal portion associated with a tool that extends further than the channel 18.

With reference now to FIG. 2, a top view of the lid 10 is illustrated. The lid 10 is shown to comprise the base portion 12 having the wall portion 14 extending along the periphery 16 of the base portion 12. The base portion 12 has the channel 18 formed therein with the channel 18 being generally rectangular in shape and form. However, it is contemplated that the channel 18 may take on various other shapes and forms in order for the channel 18 to be used to hold or store a portion of a tool. The channel 18 is sized and shaped to be able to receive a handle portion of a tool. The channel 18 also has the first side 20, the second side 22, and a pair of end sides 36 and 38 that form the rectangular shape of the channel 18. The first side 20 has the recess portion 24 that serves as a finger grip portion. The recess portion 24 is semicircular in shape. The second side 22 also has a recess portion 26 that serves as a finger grip portion. The recess portion 26 is also illustrated as being semicircular in shape. It is to be understood that the recess portions 24 and 24 may take on various shapes and sizes with the purpose of the portions 24 and 26 being used to allow a user of the lid 10 to be able to easily grasp a tool stored or held in place in the channel 18. The lid 10 also comprises the pair of recesses 28 and 30 formed in the base portion 12. The recesses 28 and 30 are each used to house or hold the magnets 32 and 34, respectively. The magnets 32 and 34 are adapted to hold in place any metal portion associated with a tool. By way of example only, a tool such as a dry wall knife may have a handle that is adapted to fit in the channel 18 and a metal blade portion that is adapted to be held in place by the magnets 32 and 34. The magnets 32 and 34 may be of any shape, size, or strength. In particular, the magnets 23 and 34 should be strong enough to hold a metal portion of a tool in place. Furthermore, although two magnets 32 and 34 are illustrated and discussed, it is also possible and contemplated to have only one magnet. This will be discussed more fully herein.

FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of the lid 10. The channel 18 is shown to span more than half of the length of the lid 10. The recesses 28 and 30 are shown to be formed in the lid 10 and extend down from the base portion 12. The wall portion 14 is generally U-shaped and this allows the lid 10 to fit over an opening of a container to be secured in place. The recesses 28 and 30 are sized and shaped to contain the magnets 32 and 34, respectively.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a side view of the lid 10 is depicted. The lid 10 may be formed from any suitable material such as plastic, rubber, or metal. The lid 10 is illustrated having the base portion 12, the wall portion 14 being formed along the periphery 16, and the channel 18. The lid 10 also comprises the pair of recesses 28 and 30 formed in the base portion 12. The lid 10 further comprises a tab or hinge portion 40 that is used to facilitate removal of the lid 10 from a container.

FIG. 5 shows the lid 10 covering a container 50. The container 50 may be used to hold dry wall compound. The lid 10 is adapted to mate with an upper portion or lip 52 of the container 50. The wall portion 14 is adapted to form an airtight closure of the container 50. In this manner, any drywall compound being stored in the container 50 may be protected from drying out and may be used numerous times. The tab 40 is also shown to further seal the lid 10 to the container 50.

A tool 60 is shown in FIG. 6 being stored in the lid 10. The tool 60 may be a conventional drywall knife having a metal blade portion 62 and a handle portion 64. The handle portion 64 is adapted to fit in the channel 18 and the blade portion 62 is adapted to be held in place by the magnets 32 and 34. As can be appreciated, the blade portion 62 covers the magnets 32 and 34 in this particular view. The lid 10 is used to cover the container 50 and the wall 14 serves to fit over the container 50. In operation, a user will place the handle 64 of the tool 60 into the channel 18 and position the blade 62 over the magnets 32 and 34. The metal blade 62 will be attracted to the magnets 32 and 34 and held in place for storage and transportation purposes. In order to retrieve the tool 60 for use, the user through use of the recesses 24 and 26 grasps the handle 64 and the tool 60 is removed from the lid 10. Enough force is required to completely remove the tool 60 from the force of attraction provided by the magnets 32 and 34.

With particular reference now to FIG. 7, another preferred embodiment of a lid for storing a tool 100 is shown. The lid 100 is used to store a tool such as a hammer 102. The lid 100 comprises base portion 104 having a wall portion 106 formed along a periphery 108 of the base portion 104. The base portion 104 and the wall portion 106 are adapted to mate with or fit over an opening 110 of a container 112. The base portion 104 has a channel 114 formed therein with the channel 114 being sized and shaped to be able to receive a handle portion 116 of the tool 102. The channel 114 has a first recess portion 118 and a second recess portion 120 that both serve as finger grip portions to allow a user to remove the tool 102 from the lid 100. The lid 100 also comprises a recess 122 formed in the base portion 104 with the recess 122 being used to house or hold a magnet 124. In this particular embodiment only one magnet 124 is employed. However, as previously discussed, it is also possible to use two or more magnets. The magnet 124 is adapted to hold in place a metal portion of the tool 102, such as a head portion 126 of the hammer 102. The magnet 124 is generally rectangular in shape and is sized to hold the head portion 126 in place. The magnet 124 should also be of a sufficient strength to hold the head portion 126 in place.

Referring now to FIG. 8, another preferred embodiment of a lid for storing a tool 150 is illustrated. The lid 150 is comprised of a base portion 152 having a wall portion 154 formed along a periphery 156 of the base portion 152. The base portion 152 and the wall portion 154 are adapted to mate with or fit over an opening of a container, as has been previously discussed. The base portion 152 also comprises a magnet portion 158 that is positioned on the base portion 152. A tool (not shown) having a metal portion may be positioned on the magnet portion 158 to hold the tool in place on the lid 150. In this manner, a tool is held in place on the lid 150 above the lid and the tool is easily grasped for use. A principal difference between the lid 150 and the lid 10 being that there is no channel in the embodiment 150 shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 depicts still another preferred embodiment of a lid for storing a tool 170. The lid 170 comprises a generally rectangular base portion 172 having a magnet portion 174 and a handle-mounting portion 176. The handle-mounting portion 176 is a saw tooth shaped member that is adapted to receive a handle 178 of a tool 180, such as a screwdriver. The tool 180 also has a metal portion 182, such as a screwdriver blade, that is attracted to and held in place by the magnet portion 174. It is also possible that the mounting portion 176 may be rounded to accept rounded handles of a tool.

With reference now to FIG. 10, a bucket lid for storing a tool 200 is shown. The bucket lid 200 is circular in shape for being positioned over a round container such as a bucket, pail, or can. The bucket lid 200 comprises a base portion 202 having a periphery edge portion 204. The edge portion 204 has a handle-mounting portion 206 that may have a rectangular configuration 208 or a saw toothed shaped configuration 210. A magnet portion 212 is centrally located on the base portion 202. Various tools 214 each having a handle portion 216 and a metal portion 218 are held in place by the bucket lid 200. The metal portions 218 are magnetically attracted to the magnet portion 212 and the handles are supported or held by the handle-mounting portion 206.

FIG. 11 illustrates a lid for storing a tool 250 on a tool box 252. The tool box 252 generally has four sides 254, 256, 258, and 260, a bottom 262, and a hinged top 264. The top 264 has a handle 266 and a pair of hinges 268 and 270. The top 264 also has a magnet portion 272 along which are positioned metal portions 274 of tools 276. The side 258 also has a magnet portion 278 along which are positioned the metal portions 274 of the tools 276.

It should be recognized that the lid for storing a tool of the present invention can be constructed of various materials and can be assembled from separable components or formed as a unitary construction. Preferably, the lid for storing a tool will be of relatively lightweight material so that it can be easily positioned or moved for use. Further, although a drywall knife 60 and a hammer 102 have been disclosed, it should be understood that various other tools may be stored in the lid. By way of example only, screwdrivers, knives, jig saw blades, drill bits, brushes, chisels, and braces may be stored in the lid. Also, it is possible and contemplated that more than one channel may be formed in the lid in order for the lid to store two of the same tool or two different tools. As has been described previously, it is also possible that there not be a channel formed in the lid and the tool or tools may be stored above the lid in order to be easily grasped for use.

As has been disclosed herein, the magnets or magnet portions may be of any shape, size, or strength. For example, the magnets may be circular, square, rectangular, triangular, or any other suitable size, shape, or configuration. The magnets may be recessed in the lid, flush with the lid, or placed on the lid so that the magnets extend up from the lid. It is further anticipated that the magnets should be strong enough to hold a metal portion of a tool in place. As previously described, there may be one or more magnets or magnet portions associated with the lid.

From all that has been said, it will be clear that there has thus been shown and described herein a lid for storing a tool which fulfills the various objects and advantages sought therefor. It will become apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that many changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of the lid for storing a tool are possible and contemplated. All changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow. 

1. A lid for storing a tool comprising: a base portion having a wall portion along a periphery of the base portion; a channel formed in the base portion adapted for receiving a handle of a tool; and a magnet portion positioned in the base portion with the magnet portion adapted to hold a metal portion of a tool.
 2. The lid of claim 1 wherein the channel comprises a finger grip portion formed on a side of the channel.
 3. The lid of claim 2 wherein the channel comprises a second finger grip portion formed on another side of the channel.
 4. The lid of claim 1 wherein in the lid further comprises a recess portion and the magnet portion is positioned in the recess portion.
 5. The lid of claim 1 wherein the lid further comprises a pair of recess portions and a pair of magnet portions are positioned in the recess portion.
 6. The lid of claim 1 wherein the wall portion is adapted to fit over a container opening.
 7. The lid of claim 1 wherein the channel spans a portion of the base portion.
 8. A lid for storing a tool comprising: a base portion having a wall portion along a periphery of the base portion; a channel formed in the base portion adapted for receiving a handle of a tool; a recess formed in the base portion; and a magnet portion positioned in the recess with the magnet portion adapted to hold a metal portion of a tool.
 9. The lid of claim 8 wherein the channel comprises a finger grip portion formed on a side of the channel.
 10. The lid of claim 9 wherein the channel further comprises a second finger grip portion formed on another side of the channel.
 11. The lid of claim 8 wherein the base portion comprises a second recess formed therein and a second magnet portion is positioned in the second recess with the second magnet portion adapted to hold a metal portion of a tool.
 12. The lid of claim 8 wherein the wall portion is adapted to fit over a container opening.
 13. The lid of claim 8 further comprising a hinge portion.
 14. A lid for storing a tool comprising: a base portion having a wall portion along a periphery of the base portion; a first channel formed in the base portion adapted for receiving a handle of a tool; a second channel formed in the base portion adapted for receiving a handle of a tool; a first magnet portion positioned in the base portion with the first magnet portion adapted to hold a metal portion of a tool positioned in the first channel; and a second magnet portion positioned in the base portion with the second magnet portion adapted to hold a metal portion of a tool positioned in the second channel.
 15. The lid of claim 14 wherein the first channel comprises a finger grip portion formed on a side of the first channel.
 16. The lid of claim 14 wherein the second channel comprises a finger grip portion formed on a side of the second channel.
 17. A lid for storing a tool comprising: a base portion having a wall portion along a periphery of the base portion; and a magnet portion positioned on the base portion with the magnet portion adapted to hold a metal portion of a tool.
 18. The lid of claim 17 further comprising a handle mounting portion positioned on the base adapted to receive a handle of a tool.
 19. The lid of claim 18 wherein the handle mounting portion has a saw toothed configuration.
 20. A lid for storing a tool comprising: a base portion having a wall portion along a periphery of the base portion and a handle mounting portion adapted to receive a handle portion of a tool; and a magnet portion centrally positioned on the base portion with the magnet portion adapted to hold a metal portion of a tool. 